Pythor V2: PWM Compressor Plugin by Tone Empire

The core of Pythor V2 is its PWM compression circuit. Tone Empire says pulse width modulation gives fast attack times and precise control, which suits drums and percussive material that need to stay in front of a mix.

The main controls cover threshold and ratio, attack and release, and a mix knob for parallel blending. Output gain handles make-up level and can also be pushed for extra harmonic saturation. A VU meter shows gain reduction in real time, so you can see how much the compressor is working while you adjust it.

The 2-band parametric EQ sits before or after the compressor, letting you shape tone at either point in the chain.

Pythor V2 is positioned for drums first. Tone Empire points to overheads, kicks and snares as typical sources, and describes the compressor as suited to drum buses that need added punch.

Vocals and other instruments are also named as targets. Tone Empire notes the plugin can be used for heavy compression while aiming to keep clarity and punch, and the mix control makes it practical for parallel compression.

The Ultra-X mode is an optional higher-quality setting. It oversamples the incoming audio to reduce aliasing, with a higher frequency response, at a cost in processing demand that the V2 update reduces.